[time-nuts] Followup (still want a GPS-type NTP refclock)

[Sarah White]

On 10/17/2012 12:31 PM, Chris Albertson wrote:
> On Wed, Oct 17, 2012 at 12:50 AM, Sarah White <kuzetsa at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi again everyone :)
>>
>> Originally I was hoping for a thunderbolt. The control / diagnostic
>> software looked cool, but I couldn't afford the pricetag on one.
>>
>> ...Here's my followup now:
>>
>> Determined I'd love to get my hands on an iLotus m12m.
>> That's just a statement. My heart is set on getting this.
>>
>> Would it be possible to find a kit (new, used or otherwise) with:
>>
>> 1) iLotus M12M timing mode GPS (serial port version)
>> 2) Aprox 10 meter antenna cable with apropriate connector(s)
>> 3) active antenna which can handle being 10 meters from the module
>> 4) power supply for above list, and much needed luck, all for under
>> $100 US
> 
> Just over $100.  the M12M is about $60 new.  If you call up and say
> you are a hobbyist and heard about it on this list.
> Buy a timing antenna on eBay for about $30
> You can use 30 meters of cable TV wire and some N to F adaptors
> You can power it all with a salvaged power cube.
> Then you'd need a mast for the antenna made with plumbing parts and
> misc hardware and a box for the electronics.   Maybe $130 if you were
> carful
> 
> But if you are really worried about cost buy an older Oncore.  The new
> m12m is only slightly better then the older m12+T that sells on eBay
> for $35.  The two are nearly identical.  (See item # 290656401551)
> then see item # 270881742870 for an antenna   You'd be just under $100
> if you went this route.

I ended up with a TAPR thunderbolt kit within my price range instead of
an oncore variant, so it looks like I ended up doing everything on-budget:

F-Type RG59 75 Ohm Coaxial Cable (random off-the shelf 50-foot cable
with 75 Ohm impedence to match the specs recommended in tbolt manual)

ARS-0325 (Type F Female to Type N Male Adapter to match cable end to the
antenna)

Symmetricom 58532A antenna (found a gently used one on ebay for cheap)

Thanks everyone for the advice and other help figuring all this out.

Regards,
Sarah White